Electric vehicles cost more to buy, but less to own
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Electric cars are still more expensive to purchase than gasoline models, but they're considerably cheaper to maintain.
What they're saying: Maintenance costs for a battery-electric vehicle are 6.1 cents per mile, compared to 10.1 cents per mile for a conventional car with an internal combustion engine, according to research from the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
- That's because an EV doesn't have things like spark plugs, an oil filter or a timing belt — and all the maintenance costs associated with them.
- EVs have fewer moving parts overall, so there's less to break down.
Yes, but: They still have brakes, tires and accessories like headlights and windshield wipers that need to be replaced occasionally.
The bottom line: When you factor in savings on gas and maintenance over the life of the car, an EV doesn't cost that much more than a gasoline car.
